*Nelson needed to check what is this seat and what is this thing that moves.*

The journey began in the gentle hills of Tuscany, Chianti area. In the car were a Finnish-Italian couple (me and my boyfriend) and Finnish, old, beloved cat, Nelson Mandela. I am the mamma in this story, the one whose legs he would later choose as his safest place. We had packed everything that might bring him comfort: his familiar litter box, a brand-new, wonderfully soft cat cave, a small hideaway, and clothes that smelled like home and us.

Still, the car unsettled him at first, space is less than at home. Nelson was restless, vocal, full of questions only a cat can ask. Where are we going and why? Dove stiamo andando? Perché ora? Even with his two beloved humans close by, a cat’s heart is tied to places. We spoke to him softly and calmly, piano piano, stroked his fur, and kept driving south, we passed for example Siena, Orvieto, Roma, Napoli, on our way toward to the sea and direction to Salerno e Amalfi coast.

*View from our balcony to the next small town from our village Dragonea close to Vietri sul Mare.*

Just after Christmas, our plan was to explore the Costiera Amalfitana and its villages and small seaside towns, letting winter turn into the scent of citrus and salt. As afternoon, time of buonasera fell, we reached our accommodation in the mountains in a tiny village near the beautiful Vietri sul Mare. I had booked a cat-friendly two-room cozy appartment through Booking.com. If you want a cozy, quiet, clean place to stay in a local village, I can recommend Imma´s appartment in the “cat zone” of Dragonea.

The first night was not easy. Nelson Mandela cried quite a lot. We humans were exhausted after hours of driving, and I could feel a cold coming on. The apartment smelled unfamiliar, the walls unknown to Nelson. Cats, i gatti, are creatures of place. So Nelson did what he needed to do to feel safe: he slept in our bed between us, or curled up at the foot of mamma’s feet, like a baby making sure the world was still there.

By morning, something shifted. Slowly, gently, con calma, Nelson grew braver. He sniffed the corners, padded quietly from room to room. We offered him his favorite treats and stepped out onto the balcony together. He saw also kittens and cats jumping over the roofs of the other houses in the neighbourhood. The air carried the scent of a lemon tree, profumo di limone, and the strong touch of December wind. From far away came sounds of life: dogs barking, goats bleating, a rooster announcing himself.

The courtyard below was full of cats. Our hostess told us there were ten of them, fed daily by an elderly cat-loving woman next door, “una signora anziana dal cuore grande”. We saw them sitting like statues on the steps, and leaping gracefully across neighboring rooftops. The village felt cinematic, timeless, deeply Southern Italian. “M-word” is forbidden here. Let´s just enjoy local life as it is.

*Black cat and Madonna together in the sun. Local woman was surprised why I took this photo.*

Traveling with a cat is not always easy, but it is profoundly rewarding. There is comfort in knowing your beloved and old cat is safe, close, part of the journey. One must be careful at rest stops, mindful that a door opening too quickly could invite an escape, Attenzione! But Nelson wise old soul mostly slept through the drives, trusting us to take him where he needed to be.

I would never leave my cat alone at home for more than one night. This journey along the Amalfi Coast, Costiera Amalfitana, reminded me that even as landscapes change, safety and love can travel with you, sometimes in the back seat, curled inside a soft little cave, quietly purring. Second and third nights were easier for the cat to sleep and we humans could travel around the Amalfi coast to visit other towns leaving cat safely in our appartment in the village. Old cat sleeps a lot and he had a lot to watch from windows.

If you want to know more about travelling with a cat, I am more than happy to help, but sure all animals are individuals too.

This place was closer to Salerno than Napoli. Next trip to this area, to Campagna we maybe visit Napoli, Sorrento and some other destinations, maybe some islands. There is so much to see and feel. Winter and spring are good times to visit the area, it is not too crowded nor too hot. June-July-August and September might be too crowded and too hot to many. In a separate posting I share some photos and feelings from different villages and towns in the area.

Are you interested to travel with a cat ?

Are you interested to know about villages and places to visit on Amalfi coast ?

#Amalfi #VietriSulMare #Campagna #Positano #catlover #travelingcat #crazycatlady #traveling #travel #driving #Italy #Toscana #Tuscany #tourists #tourism

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